Only certified wood from Liberia and the Central African Republic

The European Parliament has ratified the agreements reached between the European Union and governments of the Central African Republic and Liberia for the protection of the forests in both African nations. In particular, the text approved obliges EU member nations and Liberia to sell only products (from timber to furniture) made of certified wood. As emphasized by the proposer of the bill, Austrian European Parliamentarian Elisabeth Kostinger, these agreements represent important steps in both promoting sustainable forestry and sale of timber and increasing public awareness. So far, six other nations have already signed this type of partnership with the European Union (Cameroun, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Indonesia, Liberia and the Republic of the Congo-Brazzaville). Agreements with Ghana and Cameroun have also been ratified by both parties, while negotiations are currently in progress with another four nations: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Malaysia, and Vietnam.